Patents by Inventor Wayne Zimmerman

Wayne Zimmerman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11973268
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a multi-layer air waveguide with layer-to-layer connections. Each pre-formed layer of the air waveguide is attached to at least one other pre-formed layer by a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface may be a stud-based interface, a snap fastener-based interface, a ball-and-socket based interface, or a pressure contact interface utilizing irregular roughed surfaces of each pre-formed layer. The mechanical interfaces of the pre-formed layers structurally hold the air waveguide together and electrically couple all of the pre-formed layers. In this manner, the cost of manufacturing the air waveguide antennas may be less expensive than previous manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson
  • Patent number: 11962087
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20240022001
    Abstract: Described herein is a waveguide that is configured to be soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) via one or more metallic portions disposed thereon. Additionally, the waveguide may have solder disposed within thru holes that is configured to conduct heat from one or more components of the PCB when the waveguide is mounted to the PCB. Also described herein is an assembly comprising the waveguide soldered to the PCB via solder between the metallic portions of the waveguide and metallic portions of the PCB. Techniques for producing the waveguide and the assembly are also described herein. By soldering the waveguide to the PCB, an inexpensive, precise, and secure mechanical bonding may be achieved while electrically sealing features of the waveguide and/or components of the PCB. Furthermore, the solder within the thru holes allows for better heat conduction through the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Michael J. Pepples, Kevin Paul McReynolds
  • Publication number: 20230378656
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20230352845
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a waveguide with slot antennas and reflectors. An apparatus may include a waveguide channel that includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of slot antennas through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The apparatus also includes reflectors positioned adjacent to and offset from each longitudinal side of the waveguide channel. The reflectors and the waveguide channel are positioned to generate a particular radiation pattern for an antenna element electrically coupled to the dielectric. In this way, the described waveguide with slot antennas and reflectors can adjust the positioning of the reflectors to provide a radiation pattern with a wide or asymmetric beamwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Biswadeep Das Gupta, Syed An Nazmus Saqueb, Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Warren Whithaus
  • Patent number: 11737203
    Abstract: A heatsink shield with thermal-contact dimples can improve thermal-energy distribution in a radar assembly. The radar assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), the heatsink shield, a radome, and a housing. The PCB can include integrated circuits and other components, along with a thermally-conductive material that covers at least a portion of the PCB surfaces. The heatsink shield includes multiple dimples that thermally contact the thermally-conductive material. The heatsink shield is configured to distribute thermal energy produced at least in part by the PCB components to the housing. In this way, the described techniques and systems permit the radar assembly to better distribute thermal energy away from the PCB components to the rest of the PCB and through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20230208016
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems of a metal antenna assembly with integrated features. The described antenna assembly comprises an antenna structure including an antenna body having at least one antenna element formed from a metal alloy while in a thixotropic state. The antenna structure includes a surface having a corrosion inhibitor coating. The antenna assembly further includes an air-waveguide structure. In implementations, the antenna structure is configured to attach to a mounting. The antenna structure includes at least one integrated alignment feature promoting alignment during manufacturing of the antenna assembly. The antenna structure further includes an internal portion in the antenna body defining an integrated heatsink portion and an integrated electromagnetic interference portion within which circuit components can reside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland, Dennis C. Nohns
  • Patent number: 11616306
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20220352640
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a multi-layer air waveguide with layer-to-layer connections. Each pre-formed layer of the air waveguide is attached to at least one other pre-formed layer by a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface may be a stud-based interface, a snap fastener-based interface, a ball-and-socket based interface, or a pressure contact interface utilizing irregular roughed surfaces of each pre-formed layer. The mechanical interfaces of the pre-formed layers structurally hold the air waveguide together and electrically couple all of the pre-formed layers. In this manner, the cost of manufacturing the air waveguide antennas may be less expensive than previous manufacturing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson
  • Publication number: 20220302570
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20220304139
    Abstract: A heatsink shield with thermal-contact dimples can improve thermal-energy distribution in a radar assembly. The radar assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), the heatsink shield, a radome, and a housing. The PCB can include integrated circuits and other components, along with a thermally-conductive material that covers at least a portion of the PCB surfaces. The heatsink shield includes multiple dimples that thermally contact the thermally-conductive material. The heatsink shield is configured to distribute thermal energy produced at least in part by the PCB components to the housing. In this way, the described techniques and systems permit the radar assembly to better distribute thermal energy away from the PCB components to the rest of the PCB and through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20220256685
    Abstract: Formed waveguide antennas using one or metal sheets can improve the materials and manufacturing process of a radar assembly. For example, the radar system can include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a metal sheet attached to the PCB. The metal sheet can be formed to provide multiple waveguide antennas that each include multiple waveguide channels. Multiple radiation slots can be formed on a surface of each of the multiple waveguide channels. The PCB can include an MIMIC and a thermally conductive material covering a portion of a first and a second surface of the PCB. The metal sheet can also be formed to provide a shield for the MIMIC. In this way, the described techniques and systems permit the waveguide antennas to formed with materials and a manufacturing process that reduce costs while still providing high performance (e.g., minimized loss).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11382205
    Abstract: A heatsink shield with thermal-contact dimples can improve thermal-energy distribution in a radar assembly. The radar assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), the heatsink shield, a radome, and a housing. The PCB can include integrated circuits and other components, along with a thermally-conductive material that covers at least a portion of the PCB surfaces. The heatsink shield includes multiple dimples that thermally contact the thermally-conductive material. The heatsink shield is configured to distribute thermal energy produced at least in part by the PCB components to the housing. In this way, the described techniques and systems permit the radar assembly to better distribute thermal energy away from the PCB components to the rest of the PCB and through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20220087006
    Abstract: A heatsink shield with thermal-contact dimples can improve thermal-energy distribution in a radar assembly. The radar assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), the heatsink shield, a radome, and a housing. The PCB can include integrated circuits and other components, along with a thermally-conductive material that covers at least a portion of the PCB surfaces. The heatsink shield includes multiple dimples that thermally contact the thermally-conductive material. The heatsink shield is configured to distribute thermal energy produced at least in part by the PCB components to the housing. In this way, the described techniques and systems permit the radar assembly to better distribute thermal energy away from the PCB components to the rest of the PCB and through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10100802
    Abstract: A centrifugal turbine having a single impeller having two separate halves which face away from each other, at least one impeller half having an outlet tube which rotates with the impeller, the impeller halves held together by pins with blades floating on the pins, the blades not being connected to the impeller halves; a housing having three components, one housing component containing the two impeller halves comprising an inlet, and two outer housing components having an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Charles Wayne Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9920765
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing level of a fluid associated with a submersible pump having an impeller driven by an associated motor include a fluid level sensor having a probe with a plurality of discrete resistive elements each having an associated contact pair substantially evenly spaced along a length of the probe and an associated switch powered by an induced voltage or current generated by power provided to the submersible pump motor and activated by the fluid conducting across the contact pair to shunt the associated discrete resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Charles Wayne Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20170314565
    Abstract: A centrifugal turbine having a single impeller having two separate halves which face away from each other, at least one impeller half having an outlet tube which rotates with the impeller, the impeller halves held together by pins with blades floating on the pins, the blades not being connected to the impeller halves; a housing having three components, one housing component containing the two impeller halves comprising an inlet, and two outer housing components having an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: CHARLES WAYNE ZIMMERMAN
  • Patent number: 9739284
    Abstract: A two piece impeller centrifugal pump comprising two halves of an impeller facing each other within a volute, a housing having two sides, one side adjacent each impeller half and having an inlet and an outlet, a motor mounted on the housing, the motor driving both impeller halves, for pumping fluid or material from the inlet to the outlet, the housing and the impeller halves having a sealing surface where they contact each other, the centrifugal force of the impeller forcing the fluid or material outward, pushing the two impeller halves outward against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Charles Wayne Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9514275
    Abstract: Apparatus includes an imaging system with a user interface, and a hospital radiological information system (RIS) coupled to the imaging system such that the user interface allows for bi-directional data transfer between the imaging system and the RIS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Profio, Sang Wook Lee, David Alan Littlejohn, Scott Wayne Zimmerman, Holly Ann McDaniel, Susan Martignetti Stuebe, Patrick Michael Virtue, Scott William Robinson, Ann Christine Hole, Christopher James Proctor
  • Publication number: 20150139828
    Abstract: A two piece impeller centrifugal pump comprising two halves of an impeller facing each other within a volute, a housing having two sides, one side adjacent each impeller half and having an inlet and an outlet, a motor mounted on the housing, the motor driving both impeller halves, for pumping fluid or material from the inlet to the outlet, the housing and the impeller halves having a sealing surface where they contact each other, the centrifugal force of the impeller forcing the fluid or material outward, pushing the two impeller halves outward against the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Charles Wayne Zimmerman